Government has urged authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah Univerisity of Science and Technology (KNUST) to reconsider their decision of turning all-male Katanga Hall into a mixed one. Education Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a letter to the Chairman of the University Council on Thursday explained that the move is “To preserve a peaceful and conducive environment for academic work and cordial relationship in the University.” The KNUST Registrar, Andrews Kwasi Boateng, on Thursday called for calm on the university campus following rising tensions after the conversion of some traditionally single-sex halls into mixed halls.  He said the university is not insensitive to concerns raised by stakeholders concerning the conversions.  Mr Kwasi Boateng assured the university community as well as the general public that, the Chancellor is currently studying a committee report on the development.  This was formed when tensions arising out of the conversions, led to a closure of the university last year.  Reacting to the development, the Education Minister said the Ministry’s attention had been drawn to the brewing and simmering tension on the KNUST campus which is likely to affect academic work as well as the university community.   “The Ministry takes note of a similar situation last year which resulted in dire financial and security consequences,” Dr Opoku Prempeh said alluding to the Katanga hall conversion as the root cause of the situation. The Minister was emphatic that “Whilst the Governing Council and management of the university reserve the right to take decisions they deem fit; it is important that some consideration is given to other views on the conversion policy of converting University Hall into a mixed hall.” “I, therefore, wish to reiterate the position of government on this matter that (Katanga) University Hall remain a male hall of residence as prevailing in other sister universities e.g Commonwealth Hall in UG, Casely-Hayford Hall in UCC, Union, Ecowas and Savannah Halls in UDS,” he added.